Hair Combs

The hair comb bang wagon has arrived. When are you jumping on?

Portobello Pizzas

Super easy lunch for this productive Monday off from work. The original recipe was vegan, but I couldn't pass up a handful of cheese. It was totally worth it.

What you need:
2 portobello mushroom caps
pizza sauce
veggies of your choice, I used red, yellow and green bell peppers and jalapeños
pepperoni
shredded cheese
olive oil
basil, crushed red paper, garlic salt

What you do:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Brush the olive oil onto the top and bottom of the portobellos.
2. Place the mushrooms cap-side down on a baking sheet and season with herbs. Bake for 5 minutes.
3. Remove the caps and top with sauce, toppings and cheese.
4. Bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the mushrooms are your desired consistency.

Miniature Wreaths

Lots of snow makes way for new Fairview Place products! Introducing Miniature Wreaths.

These cuties measure approximately 18" long and the hoop, or actual wreath is 4" in diameter. Super cute in a nursery or gallery wall. Or hang on a door knob. I think these will make fun custom orders in the future as well!

January Self Portrait

I decided after a cleansing run late this afternoon to do my monthly self portraits a little different in 2017. Instead of posting at the end of the month and reflecting on the previous 30 days, I'm going to capture my goals for the month within the first few days. This seems only fitting I start January with a few resolutions not only for 2017, but January as well.

Personal  Stay Bright in 2017. Follow through with promises and obligations, keep in touch with friends and family, and commit to little acts every day (more on this coming soon).

Professional  There are a few skills I'd like to add to my repertoire. Maybe take a few classes and definitely focus in on my volunteer role I've put on the back burner these last few months.

Physical  Keep up my (almost) daily drive to workout - or be active, fuel my body with smart foods and do what feels right.

Easy Ramen Soup

I'm kinda obsessed with this easy ramen recipe I stumbled upon...and modified due to the lack of ingredients around the house.

What you need:
1 pound shrimp (I used pre-cooked and frozen - defrost in cold water)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Sriracha
1/2 onion, diced
2 carrots, sliced
3 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp celery salt
3 cups veggie broth
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 packages ramen noodles
1/4 cup scallions

What you do:
1. Simmer the olive oil and Sriracha in a wok over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and cook until it becomes soft.
3. Add the carrots, garlic and seasonings and cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the veggie broth and bring to a slight boil. Add in soy sauce and ramen noodles.
6. Cook until the noodles have softened. Add shrimp.
7. Pour into bowls and top with the scallions.

December Self Portrait

While last month I gave a word that summed up my feels at the time, this month I am picking a word for all of 2017. I first heard about this project on this podcast. Ali Edwards began the tradition of choosing one little word to focus on, to live with, to investigate, to write about and so on. And I love this idea. I love making lists, setting goals and seeing progress - in all aspects of my life. So, I see this endeavor as an on-going target that can move with me throughout the year.

The first word that came to me was Positive. It's been so easy getting caught up with all the bad news of the world, and I've noticed how all that bad energy has affected my mindset. In the past couple months, Mike has had to remind me to "think positive" on several occasions...which is very concerning. So naturally, positive was the front runner. But, that word was just too cheesy for me. I needed a word that sounded happy. The word needs to help me to focus on the positives of the everyday, but be flexible enough to lend itself to many avenues in 2017.

Worthwhile.
Meaningful.
Mindful.
Encourage.
Aware.
Nurture.
Cultivate.

I still wasn't in love with any of them. Then, tonight, I decided to give another look at my words. And it came out of nowhere.

Bright.

giving out or reflecting a lot of light; shining. giving an appearance of cheerful liveliness.

That sums it up perfectly. So, here's to a Bright 2017. Let's do this.